Community Volunteers Spark Joy and Literacy at 13 Katy ISD Elementary Schools
In a heartwarming show of community spirit, Katy ISD recently wrapped up its beloved Promise to Read program, welcoming 88 business leaders and local volunteers into 204 classrooms across 13 elementary campuses. For three weeks in November 2025, students from Bethke, Golbow, Holland, Jenks, Kilpatrick, Robertson, Rylander, Schmalz, Stephens, Sundown, Williams, Wolfe, and Youngblood Elementary Schools got a special treat—storytime with community readers who brought books to life in the most meaningful way.
Organized by Katy ISD’s Partners in Education program, Promise to Read has been fostering literacy and connection in Katy classrooms for 30 years. The initiative encourages local business professionals, civic leaders, and community members to share their time and voices with young readers. But it's about more than reading—it’s about building bridges between the schools and the community that surrounds them.
“Thank you to all the business and community partners who dedicated their time to support Katy ISD students during the 2025 Promise to Read program,” said organizers. “Your commitment demonstrates the powerful and lasting impact of community engagement in our schools.”
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Research shows that programs like this do more than entertain. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, reading aloud to children helps build crucial literacy, language, and social-emotional skills. In a classroom setting, when a guest reader engages with students, the benefits multiply—children are introduced to new vocabulary, see reading modeled as a fun and valuable activity, and experience positive interactions with adult role models from the wider community.
And the benefits aren’t just for the kids. Volunteers often walk away feeling more connected to Katy ISD schools, students, and families—strengthening the ties that make the Katy area one of the most community-driven in the region.
At each of the participating campuses, students were thrilled to welcome their special guests. Whether the book was a silly story that sparked laughter or a thoughtful tale that stirred emotion, the volunteers helped create moments that will stay with students long after the last page was turned.
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The annual Promise to Read event is just one way Katy ISD’s Partners in Education program supports schools. By opening the door to meaningful relationships between schools and the community, Partners in Education helps ensure students are not only academically supported, but also surrounded by a village of caring adults who believe in their success.
To learn more about how to get involved with Katy ISD Partners in Education—including next year’s Promise to Read—visit katyisd.org/partners-in-education or contact Lauren Slovisky at laurenvslovisky@katyisd.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
